How about building a ballast?

Hi everyone, first post, although I have been following the forums for some time. Has anyone considered building a hps or mh ballast?? I have been thinking about it, there really isn't much to them... a capacitor, transformer, igniter, and a socket.

Has anyone tried to do this? Also... what about setting up one ballast to run two lights in parallel or in series? I have some experience with electricity but I am no expert.

I am pretty sure I will build something in the near future, Just looking for a little input from somebody who has tried it!!

Thanks.

anybody?? no? ::shrugs and walks away::

I'm not very skilled with soldering or things of that nature but I can say I'd rather spend $100 for a commercial built ballast rather than trust my own abilities to build one.

It's a small price to pay to ensure that your fire hazards are to a minimum IMO. :thumbsup:

I'd like to know this too. I'm a do-it-your-selfer and I'd like to possibly build my own lights for my next grow rather than pay a couple of hundred dollars for what I can build for under $50

here you guys go: cheap DIY ballast parts supplier I dunno how you assemble them though.

I've repaired ballasts before that were either mine, or an acquaintance. I've never fully assembled one from start to finish, but like you mentioned, they're not difficult as long as you know what you're doing. If you have doubts, though, I would advice purchasing a pre-built ballast. Electricity doesn't fuck around.

As for splicing leads to two separate sockets, I wouldn't do that. One ballast per bulb, otherwise you may be playing with fire. (Literally.)

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Originally Posted by enjoytheride

Hi everyone, first post, although I have been following the forums for some time. Has anyone considered building a hps or mh ballast?? I have been thinking about it, there really isn't much to them... a capacitor, transformer, igniter, and a socket.

Has anyone tried to do this? Also... what about setting up one ballast to run two lights in parallel or in series? I have some experience with electricity but I am no expert.

I am pretty sure I will build something in the near future, Just looking for a little input from somebody who has tried it!!

Thanks.

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Hi ETR
Sounds good start up a DiY for it !!

id say its not a good idea as its highly dangerous...

Worrying

While an iron core ballast is pretty simple, and even simple to build, consider this.......

If you spend anytime in your grow room or area consider a electronic ballast, if not for it's quite stealth then for its quiet to help with your mental health.

Electonic ballasts are much morer energy efficent (save 10-15% over iron core) but more important then anything, they are QUIET!